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Universal speech Rhythm Discovered in Global Analysis of 48 Languages
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A groundbreaking study has identified a consistent rhythm in human speech across the globe, suggesting a fundamental biological basis for how we communicate. Researchers found that regardless of language, people naturally divide their speech into rhythmic units occurring approximately every 1.6 seconds.
the Biological Basis of Speech Rhythm
The research, led by Dr. Maya Inbar alongside Professors Eitan Grossman and Ayelet N. Landau, analyzed over 650 recordings encompassing 48 languages from every continent and 27 language families.Using a newly developed algorithm, the team automatically identified these “intonation units” in spontaneous speech.
“The truly universal properties of languages are not independent of our physiology and cognition,” explains a co-author of the study. The findings “strengthen the idea that intonation units are a universal feature of language.”
Did You Know? The consistent 1.6-second rhythm was observed even in endangered languages, highlighting its deep-rooted nature in human communication.
How the Study Was Conducted
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